Edit The Guest List

Many parents conduct a "guest test" of sorts, only inviting those who know the bar mitzvah boy or bat mitzvah girl. Michele Roberts, who lives in Worcester, MA, and threw parties for her three daughters, says: "We made lists of people in the various communities to which we belonged, and read off names. If in response to "WHO is THAT?" a brief explanation did not elicit, "Oh yeah, invite them!" the guest lost his spot.